Honeywell to Begin Onondaga Lake Dredging and Capping Later this Summer

Posted 06/08/2012

Honeywell is conducting a remediation of Onondaga Lake, just northwest of the city of Syracuse, NY. The cleanup is aimed at helping to restore a valuable recreational and ecological resource for the community. Working under the supervision of the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC), the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and the New York State Department of Health (DOH) and with top local and national experts, dredging and capping of the lake is set to begin this summer.

On May 31, Honeywell Senior Vice President and General Counsel Kate Adams; DEC Commissioner Joe Martens; and EPA, elected, and academic officials, came together with the community to celebrate this important step.

“The commitment, energy, and talent of the Syracuse community, including our 500 local workers, have helped shape the progress we have achieved so far,” Adams said. “Honeywell is committed to remaining on schedule to complete a sustainable Onondaga Lake remedy that protects human health and the environment, diversifies and enhances habitat, and helps restore the lake for this community.”

Honeywell has been working for years on the design of the lake remedy. After dredging, a new lake bottom “cap” will be added to permanently isolate any remaining contaminants in order to improve the lake habitat and fish spawning. The system is expected to be running at full capacity later this summer and the project is scheduled for completion in 2016.

More than 500 Central New York scientists, engineers and skilled craft laborers are working on the project. The remediation also utilizes a number of green practices, including the use of biofuels, green electric booster pumps, recycled water, green concrete, and renewable energy.